Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

For preparing my exchange semester at the University of Kentucky, my biggest advice would be to start early and not underestimate the small administrative steps. There are quite a few things to take care of before going abroad, such as the visa process, course selection, housing, insurance, and travel arrangements. None of these steps are extremely difficult, but they can take longer than expected, especially because you often have to wait for documents or replies from different offices. One thing that helped me was keeping all important documents and deadlines in one folder and checking my emails regularly. I also found it useful to stay in close contact with the coordinators at both universities, since they were able to help with course choices and general questions. For courses, I would recommend being flexible. Some classes may overlap, be full, or not be available for exchange students, so it is good to have a few backup options. It is better to sort this out early rather than shortly before the semester starts. Regarding travel, Lexington is not the easiest city to reach directly from Europe, so I had to fly to the US first (Atlanta) and then take a domestic connection to Lexington. It is also possible to fly to Louisville, KY or Cinncinati, OH and rent a car to get to Lexington. I would recommend planning enough time between flights, especially when entering the US, because immigration and baggage re-check can take a while. Personally, I would rather have a longer layover than risk missing the connecting flight. Overall, the preparation can feel a bit overwhelming at the beginning, but it becomes manageable once you go step by step. My main tip would be to stay organized, ask questions early, and not leave the important things until the last minute.

2. Accommodation

Finding accommodation was definitely one of the more important parts of preparing for the exchange. I would recommend looking into housing as early as possible, because the options close to campus can be limited and the process may take some time. I stayed in the German House, which was a very convenient option, especially as an exchange student. It is a house completely organized for German speaking exchange students and for Americans wanting to learn German. This option is way cheaper than staying in a dorm room on campus and much more convenient as you have much more flexibilities. This is the most valuable tip I can give to everyone going to UKY as this will improve your student life by a lot In terms of location, I would say it is worth choosing accommodation close to campus, even if it is slightly more expensive. Lexington is generally a nice student city, but distances can feel longer than expected, especially if you do not have a car. For me, being close to the university felt safer and more practical, particularly in the beginning when everything was still new. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is that housing should not be left until the last minute. It is also important to regularly check emails and housing portals, because some steps are easy to miss. I would also recommend asking former exchange students or the international office about the best housing options, since they usually know which places are most convenient for exchange students. Overall, I was happy to be close to campus, because it made the first weeks much easier. My main advice would be: apply early, choose location over saving a little money, and make sure you understand what is included in the accommodation before committing.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus at the University of Kentucky is very different from what I was used to at WU Vienna. It feels much more like a traditional American university campus, with many facilities in one place, including libraries, study areas, dining options, sports facilities, and student spaces. Especially in the beginning, this made it easier to feel part of the university, because most things happened directly on or around campus. The academic culture was also a bit different. Compared to WU, I felt that the courses were usually more continuous throughout the semester. Instead of having one big final exam at the end, many classes included weekly assignments, quizzes, participation, group work, or smaller exams during the semester. This means that you have to stay on track, but it also makes the workload more manageable if you do the work regularly. The teaching style was generally more interactive than what I was used to in Vienna. Professors often encouraged students to participate, ask questions, and discuss topics in class. The relationship between professors and students also felt a bit more personal and approachable. In many courses, it was normal to talk to the professor after class or during office hours if something was unclear. Compared to WU Vienna, I would say that the academic level was not necessarily harder, but the structure was different. At WU, I was more used to independent studying and preparing for larger exams. At the University of Kentucky, the focus was more on continuous effort, attendance, and engagement during the semester. For course selection, I would recommend choosing at least 5 courses because they are generally speaking easier to complete than those at WU.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Lexington is something I had to get used to, especially compared to Vienna. At WU and in Vienna, I was used to being able to get almost everywhere by subway, tram, or bus. In Lexington, public transport exists, but it is definitely not as convenient or frequent as in Vienna. For many places, especially outside the campus area, having access to a car or going with friends who have a car makes things much easier. Because of that, I would recommend living close to campus if possible. It makes daily life much simpler, especially for going to class, the gym, dining places, or meeting friends. Uber and Lyft are also useful options, especially in the evening or when going somewhere further away. In terms of safety, I generally felt safe around campus and in the main student areas. Like in any city, I would still recommend being aware of your surroundings, especially at night or when walking alone. In the beginning, I tried to stay in familiar areas and usually went out with other students, which made me feel more comfortable. Social life at the University of Kentucky was one of the best parts of the exchange. There are many opportunities to meet people, especially through campus events, student organizations, sports, and exchange/international student activities. I would really recommend joining events early in the semester, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable at first, because this is the easiest time to meet other students. Sports are also a big part of the university culture. Compared to Austria, university sports feel much more important in the US. Basketball and football games are a huge experience, even if you are not normally a big sports fan. The atmosphere is very different from what I knew from Europe, and going to games is definitely something I would recommend. There are also good sports facilities for students, including gyms and recreational sports options. I would suggest trying out at least one sport or joining some kind of student activity, because it helps a lot with meeting people and feeling more integrated into campus life.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at the University of Kentucky was a very special experience because it gave me the chance to experience real American campus life. What I enjoyed most was the strong university spirit, the sports culture, and how easy it was to meet people through classes and campus activities. Living in a completely different environment also made me more independent and open-minded. Overall, it was one of the most memorable parts of my studies so far.